NEW DELHI: As the campaign for Delhi enters its last phase, the contest has become bitter and personalised. On a day when the BJP released an advertisement targeting AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for his shifting stand on Republic Day as well as referring to his Agarwal gotra as "upadravi" or troublesome, Kejriwal told TOI that the BJP is desperate and that's why they are indulging in gaali galoch politics. "They have no agenda, no manifesto, no plan for Delhi, all they can say is Kejriwal is a Naxalite, Kejriwal bandar hai, haramzaada hai, toxic hai, they abuse my community."

"First they targeted my kids, today they have targeted the entire Agarwal gotra. Fight with me, why target my community? The Agarwal samaj is backbone of this country's economy, they are law abiding citizens, how can you call them upadravi? BJP should apologise to agarwal samaj for that advertisement."

Kejrwail looks relaxed and optimistic as he sets out on his campaign. His campaign is low key, a handful of loyalists sit in his brightly decorated flat in Kasushambi arranging his programme, while his son sits at a computer trying to study.

Clad in red jumper and beige trousers, Kejriwal appears smiling and confident, clad in red sweater and beige trousers, although a trademark combativeness still marks his persona. The cough remains even though the muffler is gone for the day. With opinion polls giving the AAP a clear edge in Delhi, the AAP chief has clearly found a new bounce.

He rises at 6 am, has set aside some time every morning to tweet, and after breakfast meets with booth managers and senior leaders.The media is his constant companion, a forest of mikes await as he steps out of his home.

As he heads for his first meeting with lawyers and office bearers of the Delhi bar council at VP House, he says he's getting a very positive response. "Each of our leaders, whether its Ashutosh or Sisodia gets 1000s of people, Smriti Irani got 75 people, Sushma Swaraj got just 150, the BJP is finished in Delhi, even the middle class is back with us."

His convoy consists of only two cars, and his only assistant is his single aide, the faithful Bibhav Kumar who has been his associate since the time he started the NGO Parivartan. Dheere dheere, he cautions the driver as he dislikes speeding.

"The BJP wants to take the country back to the 15th century. The the party which says women should have 4-5 kids, where the CM of Haryana says women shouldn't wear jeans, should not use mobile phones, don't educate them, don't give them jobs. How can such a party provide security for women? As far as we are concerned there should be no difference between men and women. Delhi women shold be free to go out even at midnight."

As a party taking on the BJP, Kejriwal is determined to avoid the trap of Congress-style secularism. "If we take up Muslim issues, you play into their hands. We say we will speak when a masjid is burnt, when a church is burnt, if a mandir is harmed. We will speak for the grievances of all communities, including Hindus if they are hurt." He says it is unfortunate that high profile members like Shazia Ilmi have left the AAP.

"People have left but we have 30,000 new volunteers. Prashant is very much there in a rally. He looks after our cases. We are a happy family, I request the media not to spread rumours."

After his meeting with lawyers and a townhall show with a TV channel, Kejriwal is heading into an evening of rallies at Patel Nagar. Is he worried about his party's "ultra-Left" image?

"Why are we called Leftist? When did I do anything anti- business? We prevented VAT raids in Delhi. We embraced Delhi traders. We did work on simplifying Vat. We wanted to improve Delhi's 29 business districts. I called a meeting of industry associations when I became CM. How are we anti- business?"

He gazes out his Innova window as we drive along and gestures at passers by. "Ask any of these people on the street who is winning, and they'll tell you its Aam Admi party." So with these gains being projected by surveys, is he still the angry young man?

"Time has made me calmer. Am more at peace. I've faced so many conspiracies. When you are attacked so many times, you develop a capacity to face them. Everyone evolves and one has evolved into a better person. Thodi thand ayee hai, Vipassana has helped me a lot."